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October 31, 2013

THE DAWN OF CHRISTMAS by Cindy Woodsmall

THE DAWN OF CHRISTMAS
A Romance From The Heart of Amish Country
by
Cindy Woodsmall

OVERVIEW
(from Goodreads) This Christmas,
experience learning to trust alongside the Plain folk of Apple Ridge,
Pennsylvania in this heart-warming tale of second chances.

Sadie
enjoys her freedom away from home and her mission trips to Peru, but
after four years, her Old Order Amish family insists it’s time to come
home and settle down. Levi, a bachelor who distrusts women after a
family heartbreak, also has no desire for romance. To keep their
families from meddling in their lives, Sadie and Levi devise a plan—but
soon discover that the walls around their hearts are breaking down. Can
they let go of their prejudices, learn to trust each other, and embrace a
future together?

REVIEW
THE DAWN OF CHRISTMAS was Published
October 15th 2013
by WaterBrook Press.

Sadie Yoder is about to be married to Daniel, until she finds her cousin in his arms. She lost all trust and if she couldn't trust him, she couldn't marry him. She begged her father to let her leave, so she could get over the pain. He allowed her to do this. She got involved in mission projects to help the needy. Sadie has grown independent of the Old Order Amish ways. But comes the day when her father tells her to come home. She isn't the same person who left a few days before she was supposed to be married. She is different now. Ms. Woodsmall has once again come up with a beautiful heartwarming story of friendship and love. Sadie ended up going back home. She wasn't at peace. As I read, I was sure she would go on the planned Mission trip to Peru. Sadie was like your next door neighbor or your friend. Sadie goes through many struggles and even though it wasn't easy she stood through them all. She had a strong faith. She goes for a horse ride late one night when he Daad told her she must not leave the house. She let her hair down, put on some Englisch clothes and went galloping, letting the wind carry away her troubles, at least for a little while. As she
goes past a field, she hears a moan. At first she is frightened, but then she sees the body along side the road. His name was Levi and his horse has thrown him. I felt it was an unique way that the author brought the two together. You'll have to read this to find out what happens between Sadie and Levi. Did she go on that mission trip to Peru? Since Levi and Daniel had dealings with horses together, will that cause any problems? Can Daniel be trusted after all these years? Sadie is a character all her own. She is independent and a slight stubborn. Levi is gentle and caring, but don't rile him. The author has put a woman who distrusts men with a man who distrusts women. Quite a combination. Will the fur fly? Will Christmas at Apple Ridge be a happy one for Levi and Sadie? Ms. Woodsmall wrote a lovely Christmas book filled with Faith and Love. What is a Christmas without Faith and Love? You'll want to pick up a copy and perhaps read it on Christmas. It's a short read. You'll feel the faith and love that Sadie and Levi feel.

I would give this book 5 STARS.

I received a complimentary copy of THE DAWN OF CHRISTMAS by Cindy Woodsmall from WaterbrookPublishing through their Blogging For Books
review program in exchange for my unbiased view. The opinions are strictly mine. positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am
disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16
CFR,

AUTHOR
(from Goodreads) Cindy Woodsmall is a New York
Times best-selling author who has written six novels, three novellas,
and Plain Wisdom, a work of nonfiction coauthored with her dearest Old
Order Amish friend, Miriam Flaud. She’s been featured on ABC Nightline
and the front page of the Wall Street Journal, and has worked with
National Geographic on a documentary concerning Amish life.

She
is also a veteran homeschool mom who no longer holds that position. As
her children progressed in age, her desire to write grew stronger. After
working through reservations whether this desire was something she
should pursue, she began her writing journey. Her husband was her
staunchest supporter as she aimed for what seemed impossible.

She’s
won Fiction Book of the Year, Reviewer’s Choice Awards, Inspirational
Reader’s Choice Contest, as well as one of Crossings’ Best Books of the
Year. She’s been a finalist for the prestigious Christy, Rita, and Carol
Awards, Christian Book of the Year, and Christian Retailers Choice
Awards.

Her real-life connections with Amish Mennonite and Old
Order Amish families enrich her novels with authenticity. Though she
didn’t realize it at the time, seeds were sown years ago that began
preparing Cindy to write these books. At the age of ten, while living in
the dairy country of Maryland, she became best friends with Luann, a
Plain Mennonite girl. Luann, like all the females in her family, wore
the prayer Kapp and cape dresses. Her parents didn’t allow television or
radios, and many other modern conveniences were frowned upon. During
the numerous times Luann came to Cindy’s house to spend the night, her
rules came with her and the two were careful to obey them—afraid that if
they didn’t, the adults would end their friendship. Although the rules
were much easier to keep when they spent the night at Luann’s because
her family didn’t own any of the forbidden items, both sets of parents
were uncomfortable with the relationship and a small infraction of any
kind would have been enough reason for the parents to end the
relationship. While navigating around the adults’ disapproval and the
obstacles in each other’s lifestyle, the two girls bonded in true
friendship that lasted into their teen years, until Cindy’s family moved
to another region of the US.

As an adult, Cindy became friends
with a wonderful Old Order Amish family who opened their home to her.
Although the two women, Miriam and Cindy, live seven hundred miles apart
geographically, and a century apart by customs, when they come together
they never lack for commonality, laughter, and dreams of what only God
can accomplish through His children. Over the years Cindy has continued
to make wonderful friendships with those inside the Amish and Mennonite
communities—from the most conservative ones to the most liberal.

Cindy
lives in Georgia with her husband, three sons, two daughters-in-law, a
new granddaughter, and a dog named Jersey who wants to dominate the
world, starting with the Woodsmall household